Need some opinions about Tulsa Welding School

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Let me start off by saying that you guys have a pretty kick *** placer here.Ok, here goes.  I used to take welding school at tech.  I was only able to go there for the first semester, then i had to quit so i could work and finish high school also.  Ive been working for Matrix for the past 2 years now as a hydroblaster, but i want to get back into welding.  I went down yesterday and took a tour of the Tulsa Welding School, and i will say, that i wasnt impressed at all...  I already knew how to do most of the stuff that they do.  The only ones that i didnt know how to do is some of the TIG welding, thats really where my heart is, i love it.  I called my old welding teacher, and he pretty much chewed on my ***.  One of the main reasons why im thinking about it, is i hear that they have a pretty good inspector program out there.  But for 24K...  Im seriously considering just going to the tech center here locally in town and have it only cost me a grand.  But im kind of worried about the inspector program, you have to go through the whole 7 month master welding program before you can get in.  Have any of you guys been to tulsa welding school?  If so, what did you think about it??ThanksKeeler
Reply:First off, let me say I have not been to Tulsa and know very little about them. I do work with a guy that paid $11k to go there a few years back. I will say he is a very knowledgable welder as far as the book stuff and a decent MIG welder. I don't know about any of his other welding skills because all he does at work is MIG. He told me once that they basically teach you how to pass a pipe test or two with some other stuff thrown in. Remember, I have no first hand knowledge about them. I do have another guy supposed to start in a week or so (assuming his background check and all is OK) that recently went to Tulsa. He has no prior welding experience at all so I should be able to get an idea of whether or not it's worth the $$$.Second, I learned to weld at the local Vo-Tech myself about 14 years ago and for around $250 I learned O/A cutting & welding, burned up loads of 6011 & 7018, MIG and even got to play with TIG enough to make two pieces of aluminum stick together  I got a little metallurgy knowledge as well. Money well spent IMO. Now, compared to a lot of the people here I'm just an amatuer but I've worked my way up to a decent living.Good luck.Always looking for another old VW, especially in the southeast.
Reply:I myself am a pretty good welder.  Ive had a few jobs in fab shops mig welding.  I can lay down a mean lookin bead with tig and stick and also have a really nice look root pass.  I know alot of what they are going to teach me.  Im more less just wanting to go there to practice and learn alot of the stuff that i still dont know.  Although most of it is learned through experience.  Ive been on the phone pretty much non stop for the past two days trying to get other peoples opinions and what not.  I really dont feel like wasting 24K all together.  Another thing im trying to battle is financial aid.  Im not really sure if i will qualify for it, im not sure what the maximum income level is, but i made a little over 30K last year.....  I just need to do out and burn some rod somewhere to help me clear my mind.....
Reply:The instructor at Afton Vo-tech was telling us that Tulsa Welding School pays companies to hire their graduates.  You will probably notice they tend to prominently feature the high percentage of graduates placed.  At least now you know why.  Night school at vo-tech would be a better way to go.  Spend a grand at vo-tech,  spend a grand on your wife or girl friend, spend 4 or 5 grand equiping your shop and put the other 15 towards funding your retirement or down payment on a house.  BTW My plan also saves you a few thou in interest payments.In my tig class last year everyone that wanted to get certified passed.  I didn't go for a cert and we had one guy quit coming.  5 people passed pipe in the 6G position and one guy did a liitle mig and got a cert for that.Last edited by Tailshaft56; 09-14-2006 at 11:49 PM.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill